Tutorial

Hatching Chicken Eggs

A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Welcome to Five Acre Farm! We're going to walk you through the exact steps to follow when you receive hatching eggs by mail. Follow these instructions closely for the best hatch rate possible.

Step 1: Prep Your Incubator Before the Eggs Arrive

  • 24 hours before you expect your eggs, start your incubator to give it time to preheat. 
  • Use a second thermometer to double-check the incubator’s temperature—built-in thermometers are often inaccurate.
  • Make sure your incubator is reading a stable 99.5°F (37.5°C) before adding eggs.

Step 2: Properly Receive and Unbox the Eggs

  • Don’t let the package sit in cold weather (winter) or direct sun (summer).
  • Carefully open the box and gently remove the packing material.
  • Take out each egg and inspect for cracks or dents. Discard any damaged ones.

Step 3: Let the Eggs Rest

  • Place the eggs in a carton with the pointy end facing down.
  • Let them rest at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours.
    This allows the air bubble inside to settle at the top—important for proper development.

Step 4: Place Eggs in the Incubator

  • Ensure your incubator is holding steady at:
  1. 99.5°F (37.5°C)
  2. 45% relative humidity
  • Place eggs inside. If your incubator has a motor or fan area, leave that space empty to avoid overheating nearby eggs.

Step 5: Candle Eggs on Day 7–10

  • Candle the eggs using a candler or strong flashlight in a dark room.
  • Look for veins and dark areas—signs of life!
  • If the egg is still clear at this stage, it’s likely not developing. Remove it to avoid contamination or explosion.

Step 6: Lockdown on Day 18

  • Remove the turning tray and place eggs directly on the hatching net or mat.
  • Keep temperature at 99.5°F, but increase humidity to 65%.
  • Do not open the incubator during the last 3 days—low humidity can shrink-wrap chicks and make hatching difficult.

Step 7: Hatching Time! (Days 21–23)

  • Chicks usually begin hatching on Day 21, but it’s normal for some to hatch on Day 22 or even Day 23.
  • Leave newly hatched chicks in the incubator for up to 24 hours—they’ll be fine without food or water for that time.
  • Only open the incubator when you’re sure no more chicks are coming.

Final Tip:

Patience is key! Every little detail—temperature, humidity, handling—can affect your hatch rate. Follow these steps and you’ll be well on your way to raising healthy, happy chicks.

Thanks for watching and good luck with your hatch!
– The Five Acre Farm Team